Electrical track instrument.



No. 741,123. P'ATENTBD OCT. 1 3, 1903.-

I. T. Poem. ELECTRICAL TRACK INSTRUMENT.

APPLIGATIOH FILED AUG. 8, 1902. N0 MODEL. v I 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED OCT. 13, 1903.

T. T, FOGEL. ELECTRICAL TRACK IITSTRUMJEHVT;

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 8, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

6 Home V and useful Improvements in Electrical Track No.5741,12c.

VNITED STATES.

iatented Qctober:13, 1903.

PATENT ()FFICE.

ELECTRICAL TRACK INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 741,123, dated October 13, 1903.

Application and August a, 1902.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TAYLOR T. FOGEL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Allentown, in the cou ntyof Lehigh and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an instrument adapted to be placed in juxtaposition to a track and operated by a passing car, the instrument being thereby caused to operate a signal or signals connected therewith. In the operation the passing car-wheel acts as an armature in the magnetic field of an iron core which is magnetized by an electromagnet and causes the electromagnet to oscillate in the direction of the cars course, whereby a signal or signals are operated to indicate the cars course, the instrument being automatically restored to its initial or normal position after it has performed its function.

It will be understood that while the mechanism is especially adapted for operating signals it may be used in various other relations.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will more fully appear by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings in illustration there: of, of which Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my track instrument, the casing being shown in section. Fig. 2 represents an elevation of the same at right angles to the position shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a vertical sectional view of the same, taken through the axis of oscillation. Fig. 4 represents the instrument in its relation to a rail and a wheel moving thereon, and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic View in illustration of the application of the invention.

As shown in the drawings, the base 1, suitably made of any insulating material, supports the struts 2 and 2, which act as bearings for the journals 3 and 3 of the oscillating electromagnet'et, the journals being connected with the casing 5, which is insulated from the electromagnet-winding. The journal 3 has the arm 6 fixed thereto and adapted to be thrown into electrical engagement with the spring-contacts 7 and 7, leading to the binding-posts 8 and 8, and the strut 2 is con- $eria1No. 118,906. (No model.)

nected by the conductor 9 with the bindingpost 10. The winding of the electromagnet 4 has its ends 4 and 4 connected with the binding-posts 11 and 11. The electromagnet has the movable core 12, provided with a head 12, which limits its downward movement. The bottom of the core is provided with a recess 13, which receives a screw-plug 14:. A

pin 15, having a head 15', is adapted to play through the plug 14 and to engage a catch 16 when the axis of the electromagnet is in its vertical or normal position. This mechan= ism is inclosed in a casing 17, being supported therein upon the screws 18, connected with the insulatingbase 1 and adapted to adjust the height of the instrument, and the casing is provided with the cap 19, through which the lines of force of the magnetized core act. The casing is connected by the hinge 20 with the base 21, adapted to be connected with a support, as a tie 22, the instrument resting upon a resilient support 20 and being adapted for adjustment to various elevations or ready removal from its normal position.

In the application of the invention a suitable source of electrical energy, as the battery 23,.is connected by the wire 24 with the track-rail 25, which is normally insulated from the track-rail 26, the latter being provided with the insulated section 26, connected by the conductor27 with the binding-post 11. The binding-post 11 is electrically connected through the winding of theelectromagnet 4 with the bindingpost 11, from which the conductor 28 leads back to battery. When the car-wheel 29strikes the section 26, the circuit is closed therethrough and through the wheel 29 and axle 30, the electromagnet 4: is excited, and its movable core 12 is magnetized. The core is not moved, however, owing to its being properly balanced, but remains down and locks the magnet in its normal position until the wheel reaches a point directly above its head, the lateral pull of the approaching wheel being inefiectual to disengage the pin 15 from the catch 16. When the wheel 29' reaches a point directly above the core 12, the latter is elevated by the magnetic influence, the pin 15 is disengaged from the catch 16, and the top of the electromagnet is swung in the direction of the passing wheel by its influence upon the magnetized core.

The arm 6 is thus thrown against the contact 7 and current passes through the circuit comprising the tap-wire 31, the binding-post 10, the conductor 9, the strut 2, the journal 3, the arm 6, the contact 7, the wire 32, the winding 33 of the electromagnet 34:, and the wire 35. The electromagnet 34 being thus excited its core 36 attracts the armature 37 and closes a circuit comprising the tap-wire '38, the core 36, the armature 37, the wire 39, the signal-actuating mechanism 40, and the wire 41. The signal is thus actuated which indicates one direction of movement of the ca r.- The track instrument is returned to its normal position and locked by gravity. In the same manner a car moving in the opposite direction causes the arm 6 to engage the contact 7, closing the circuit comprising the wires 32 and 33 and the electromagnet 34,

thereb attractin the armature 37 and closing the circuit comprising the wire 38, the core 36, the armature 37, the wire 39, the signal-actuating mechanism 40, and the wire 41. The signal is thus actuated which indicates the other direction of movement of the car.

It will be observed that as the main circuit is open excepting when the rail 25 is electrically connected with the insulated section 26 the electromagnet 4 can be excited and its core 12 magnetized only by thus closing the circuit, so that the instrument being locked in a casing is not subject to accidental or tampering operations. As the core is balanced by so Winding the electromagnet that its action when magnetized and under theinfiuence of its armature is sensitive, there is no lag in its rise when the wheel is directly above it.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. An oscillating electromagnet, in combination with mechanism which normally holds said electromagnet against oscillation, and means for releasing said mechanism, substantially as specified.

movable core for holding and releasing said electromagnet, and means cooperating with said core for holding and releasing the same, substantially as specified.

3. A pivotally supported electromagnet having a movable core, and mechanism coacting with said core for holding said electromagnet against oscillating, whereby said electromagnet may be released and oscillated by the movement of said core, substantially as specified.

4. A pivotally supported electromagnet having a core and means coacting with said core for holding said electromagnet, said electromagnet being released and oscillated by the attraction between the magnetized core and an object passing through the field thereof, substantially as specified.

5. The combination of a rail, with a pivoted electromagnet having a core, means coacting with said core for holding said electromagnet, and a wheel moving on said rail in the field of said core, said electromagnet being released and oscillated by the influence of said wheel upon said core, substantially as specified.

6. The combination, with a source of electric energy, of an open circuit, an oscillating electromagnet therein, mechanism coacting with said electromagnet for holding the latter against oscillation, and means for closing said circuit and effecting the release of said electromagnet, substantially as specified.

7. The combination, with a source of electric energy, of an open circuit, a pivoted electromagnet therein, mechanism which automatically locks said electromagnet, and mech= anism which closes said circuit and releases and oscillates said electromagnet, substantially as specified.

8. The combination, with a source of electric energy, of an open circuit, a pivoted electromagnet therein having a movable core which automatically locks said electromagnet, and mechanism which closes said circuit and releases and oscillates said electromagnet, substantially as specified.

9. A movably supported electromagnet having a core movable with relation thereto, mechanism coacting with said core for holding said electromagnet against movement on its support, and a body passing through the field of said electromagnet and moving said core when directly above the latter, to effect the release of the holding mechanism and the movement of said electromagnet, substantially as specified.

10. A pivotally-supported electromagnet having a core movable with relation thereto, mechanism coacting with said core for holding said electromagnet against oscillation, and an attracting-body moving through the field of said electromagnet, whereby said core is elevated to release said electromagnet when said body is directly above the same and the 1 end of said electromagnet adjacent to said 2. An oscillating electromagnet having a body is caused to incline toward the latter as it recedes, substantially as specified.

11. A pivotally-supported electromagnet having a core adapted for holding the same, a pendulating conductor adapted to oscillate therewith, in combination with a contact with which said pendulating conductor is adapted to engage and means for engaging said core, substantially as specified.

12. A pivotally-supported electromagnet having a movable core adapted for holding the same, a conductor adapted to oscillate therewith, in combination with a pair of contacts with which said conductor is adapted to engage and means for engaging said core, substantially as specified.

13. A pivotally-supported magnet having a conductor adapted to oscillate therewith, in combination with a pair of contacts with which said conductor is adapted to engage, mechanism for normally holding said magnet against oscillation and a device for releasing said magnet, substantially as specified.

IIO

14. A pivotally-supported electromagnet having a movable core, a device on the end of said core and movable relatively thereto, in combination with a catch with which said device is adapted to engage, substantially as specified.

15. A pivotally-supported electromagnet having a core adapted for holding the same, a conductor adapted to oscillate therewith, in combination with a contact with which said conductor is adapted to engage, mechanism connected therewith adapted for operating a signal and means coacting with said core for holding said electromagnet, substantially as specified. v

16. A pivotallysupported electromagnet having a core adapted for holding the same, a conductor adapted to oscillate therewith, in combination with a pair of contacts with which said conductor is adapted to engage alternatively, mechanisms electrically connected with said conductor and the respective contacts for alternately operating signals connected therewith and a device adapted for engaging said core to hold the same, substantially as specified.

17. The combination of a track having a rail in circuit withasource of electric energy, with a second rail insulated from said first rail and having an insulated section, an oscillating instrument in circuit with said insulated section, an oscillating conductor operated by said oscillating instrument, a contact adapted to be engaged by said conductor and means for holding saidinstrumentagainst oscillation, said means being released and said instrument oscillated by a passing body, substantially as specified.

18. The combination of a track having a rail in circuit with a source of electric energy, with a second rail insulated from said first rail and having an insulated section, an electromagnet pivoted adjacent to said insulated section and in circuit therewith, a body moving onsaid insulating-section and oscillating said electromagnet, a conductor connected with and oscillated by said electromagnet and a contact adapted to be engaged by said conductor, substantially as specified.

19. The combination of a track having a rail in circuit with a source of electric energy, with a second rail insulatedfrom said first rail and having an insulated section, an electromagnet pivoted adjacent to said insulated section and electrically'con'nected therewith, a body moving on said insulating-section and oscillating said electromagnet, a conductor connected with and oscillated by said. electromagnet, a contact with which said con ductor is adapted to engage, and means for normally holding said electromagnet against oscillation, substantially as specified.

20. The combination of a track having a rail in circuit with a source of electric energy, with a second rail insulated from said first rail and having an insulated section, an electromagnet pivoted adjacent to said insulated section and electrically connected therewith, a conductor connected with and oscillated by said electromagnet, a pair of contacts with which said conductor is adapted to alternately engage, and mechanism for automatically locking said electromagnet, said mechanism being automatically released bya passing car, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 28th day of July, 1902.

TAYLOR T. FOGEL.

Witnesses:

UTLEY E. CRANE, J r., FRANCIS S. GINTHER. 

